"Listen Up"

Listen Up 10 x 8" oil/linen panel

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Heres one for all his adoring fans - Bill the cow dog.

This is another painting I'll have at the Western Master's Art Show in Great Falls, MT - Best Western Heritage Inn - Room #166 - March 16th - 19th.

The Return of the Wolf

Today I wanted to post the start of this wolf painting. I haven't actually finished it yet, but its progressing so quickly I'd like to share what I have so far. As I mentioned I had a strong, clear vision of what this piece would look like, so I went straight for the canvas. Normally, on a painting of this size, 24 x 36", I would have done preliminary sketches to determine placement of the wolf figure and also to map out an overall composition. All I can say is, I already knew it would work, so I dove right in!

Here is the roughed in sketch.

I used my knowledge of dogs to get the anatomy of the figure close, then I spent about 2 hours pouring over images of wolves, to study their unique characteristics, specifically their feet, which are much larger then most canines.

Now I've blocked in most of the color and values.

This particular scene is based on my first wolf sighting, which happened a few years ago on the Montana, Idaho border. Later I'll show you the finish of this painting and tell you about my first impressions on seeing this controversial animal in the wild.

"Lucky Dog"

8 x 6"  oil/canvas

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We've got lots of family coming in for the Thanksgiving week, so I may not get back here till after the 30th.  Remember everyone, in spite of the hard times we are all facing, there is still so much to be thankful for!

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Cow Dog"

8 x 6" oil/canvas panel

For purchase information click here.

Oh my gosh! I can't believe its already Friday! This week just flew by!

I worked on a larger painting early on, but mostly my husband and I spent the week moving cows home. I got to ride my horse though, which has been forever so he was pretty froggy. We got everyone home alright, except the bull. Last we saw of him, he was heading for Molly's Crossing. You may remember Molly, the young heifer that got loose here a year or so ago and swam the Missouri to avoid the meat plant. Someone rescued her by paying the owner 5 figures or some crazy thing. I don't think our bull will find the same good fortune. Anyway, the good part was getting to see my boy "Bill" work his little heart out. He sure is a natural! So heres another portrait of my Sweet William.

Just one more day?

10 x 8" oil/gessoed hardboard panel

NFS

So again, just to buy me time while I wrap up this brewery painting, here is a painting from my website.  This is "Kit" my husbands first wife.  (posthumous)

"Lucky Dog"

8 x 6" oil/canvas panel

For purchase information click here

Okay, I missed my Bill so much while I was gone this past week, I just had to do another painting of him.

He has been following me around with this goofy look on his face, so I think he missed me too.

Anyway, the following is part of an email I wrote recently to the woman who bought "Thistle Patch."  She is keeping several rescue dogs, so I shared with her the story of how Bill came to live with us.  I hope you will enjoy it.

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Our "Bill" is also a rescue and came from a home where he did things like, eat the couch and drapes, then ran off cross country to entertain himself on a daily basis.  Thats how we found him, running around out here by the ranch.  When we tracked down his previous family, they told us that they had also found him as a run away and asked if we would call the sheriff and have him taken to the pound, that he just wasn't worth the effort.

As he settled in here, we were shocked by his intelligence.  He seemed to actually know the English language!  He LOVES the ranch and especially the cows.  He has never run off, or been destructive in any way.  Its almost as if they were talking about a different dog.  He is always with us though, during work or play, so gets plenty of attention and direction.  He is however, TERRIFIED of the "F" word.  Also flies (yes the bug!) and the fly swatter, scare the wits out of him.  That tells us all we need to know about his previous family.

He is our first BC and I'm amazed it took us so long to discover how fantastic they are.  But I'm also amazed at how many BCs end up at the pound.  We are so lucky he found us.  There has never been a more well behaved, affectionate and intelligent dog.

"Thistle Patch"

10 x 8" oil/canvas panel

sold

 I love this one and thought I might keep it, but I promised a few more for Ebay, so good luck everyone!

Dare I say it? Finished?

12 x 16" oil/canvas panel

Yes, I think so! Yahoo!!

I had such a great time doing this painting. I got it just how I wanted. My only complaint would be that I now wish it were larger, say 24 x 30" or so. The blanket in back became a Tartan (Irish) after I realized I wanted a more symbolic message. I've done some really nice paintings that miss this element. I think its what sets a work apart from the average painting. Anyway, now I am not sure of the title, "Couch Potato". It doesn't seem quite right and I could sure use help. Could everyone please click on the comments link below and give me some ideas? (You can sign in as "anonymous" if you don't have an account.) This painting is for entry into the Oil Painter's of America - Regional Exhibition and I want it to be perfect, so I hope you will all help me!

Click here to read the outcome.

"Couch Potato"...almost done!

12 x 16" oil/canvas panel

I've been working on this painting for a couple days now.  Its for entry into the regional OPA show in Idaho this coming fall.  The deadline is in two days!  wheeze...wheeze!!!

I could give a whole dissertation on how this painting came to be, but just to keep it short...

This whole daily painting business is really making a huge difference in my work.  (As I was hoping it would!)  I also have found a few artists blogs that have helped me to stay focused and true to myself and my style.  Thanks to both Karin Jurick, who paints her own way and is amazing!  Also to David Malan, for offering such a huge resource of talent (his own included) within his website and blog.  I can't begin to tell you how important studying other artists work is, especially for an emerging artist such as myself.  Also sketching is a big part of it!  Thomas Eakins taught his students to sketch a subject fifty times before going to the main canvas.  I didn't paint my Border Collie that many times, but around fifteen or so.

"Spring Grass"

8 x 6" oil/canvas panel

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"Street Dog"

8 x 6" oil/canvas panel

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This is a dog I photographed while I was in Missoula this past weekend. I'm not sure what breed he is, but would guess at maybe a Yellow Lab or Husky cross.
Anyway, he was very sweet and such a willing subject!

Our annual cattle branding weekend starts tomorrow, so I may not post anything again until Monday. It should be a great weekend for photo opts, though. I'll be getting some interesting new ranch material. I can't wait!!

"Hay Bill"

6 x 8" oil - canvas panel

sold

Okay, heres two more, then I better get packing for the OPA conference.
We are doing some Plein Air painting on Sunday, so I'll try to do something worth posting, (hopefully not just poorly rendered trees and bushes!)
Otherwise I'll be back Monday night.
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Another painting of my best friend "Bill" on the hay stack.

"A Windy Day"

10 x 8" oil - canvas panel

sold

Heres another one of Bill. I always find him in so many great poses. I just can't resist painting him again and again!

I did this painting yesterday so I could get to town today and stock up on a few things. Oil Painter's of America is holding its annual show and convention in Missoula, MT this year, so I'm heading in that direction this coming Thursday.
First though, I thought I better get myself to town and buy a new set of clothes (something without paint on it) plus a few small tubes of oils that will fit in my paint box easel, for the plein air day. While I was in town, I got to chat a bit with my artist friend, Steve Seltzer. He is such a fantastic painter and it was fun to see his studio and get some insight on his painting techniques.

Anyway, now I am all set for my big adventure. I'll try to post a few more paintings this week before I go.

"A Better View"

10 x 8" oil/canvas panel

sold

Whew! Its so nice to get back to my comfort zone of just painting a single figure. Those multiples are tricky with trying to keep a focus on just the shapes.

Anyway, heres another one of Bill looking down at me from our haystack. All that snow has melted, so I put a little mud between his toes.